Phlox plant named ‘PPPHL0617’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phlox  cultivar named ‘PPPHL0617’ is disclosed, characterized by vigorous plant growth and early flowering, with blooms produced over a long period of time. Plants have a good resistance to powdery mildew and produce dark purple flowers. The new variety is a  Phlox , normally produced as an outdoor ornamental plant for containers or gardens.

Latin name of the genus and species: Phlox subulata×stolonifera.

Variety denomination: ‘PPPHL0617’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a result of a planned breedingprogram directed by the inventor, Ushio Sakazaki, a citizen of Japan.The seed parent is an unnamed, unpatented variety of Phlox subulata andthe pollen parent is an unnamed, unpatented variety of Phloxstolonifera. The cross resulting in ‘PPPHL0617’ was made Apr. 12, 2005.The new variety was discovered Sep. 15, 2006, by the inventor in anon-commercial nursery in Higashiomi Shiga, Japan.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0617’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed Sep. 20, 2006 at a non-commercial nurseryin Higashiomi Shiga, Japan. Multiple generations have since beenproduced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type in successive generations. The newcultivar was first sold and made available to the public in April 2011.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PPPHL0617’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘PPPHL0617’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘PPPHL0617’ as a new and distinct Phloxcultivar:

-   -   1. More vigorous growth habit than Phlox subulata varieties.    -   2. Early flowering.    -   3. Long flowering period.    -   4. Good resistance to powdery mildew.    -   5. Deep purple flowers.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0617’ are similar to plants of the seedparent, Phlox subulata, unnamed, in most horticultural characteristics,however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0617’ produce flowers over asignificantly longer period than the seed parent. ‘PPPHL0617’ has a darkpurple colored flower, whereas the seed parent produces flowers that arepink. Additionally, plants of the new variety are much more vigorous,and produce larger flowers than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0617’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent Phlox stolonifera, unnamed, in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘PPPHL0617’ produceflowers over a significantly longer period than the pollen parent.‘PPPHL0617’ has a dark purple colored flower, whereas the pollen parentproduces flowers that are light blue. Additionally, the new variety hassmaller foliage than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘PPPHL0617’ can be compared to the commercial variety Phlox subulata‘Emerald Blue’, unpatented. The two varieties are very similar in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘PPPHL0617’ producelarger flowers, and flowers throughout Spring and Summer, whereas‘Emerald Blue’ flowers only during the Spring. Additionally, plants of‘PPPHL0617’ are more mounding in growth habit compared to the flat, matforming habit of ‘Emerald Blue’. Flower color also differs, as the newvariety produces flowers that are dark purple and less blue in shadethan ‘Emerald Blue’.

‘PPPHL0617’ can be compared to the commercial variety Phlox subulata‘Emerald Cushion Blue’, unpatented. The two varieties are very similarin most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘PPPHL0617’produce larger flowers, and flowers throughout Spring and Summer,whereas ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’ flowers only during the Spring.Additionally, plants of ‘PPPHL0617’ are more mounding growth habitcompared to the flat, mat forming habit of ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’.Flower color also differs, as the new variety produces flowers that aredark purple and less blue in shade than ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a oftypical plant of ‘PPPHL0617’ grown in a poly house, in Bonsall, Calif.,in a commercial 10 inch container.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up view of flowers of‘PPPHL0617’.

Age of the plant photographed is approximately 28 weeks from a rootedcutting. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘PPPHL0617’ plants grown in a poly house, inBonsall, Calif., in a commercial 10 inch container. The growingtemperature ranged from 60° F. to 75° F. daytime and 50° F. to 60° F. atnight. No chemical treatments were given. Measurements and numericalvalues represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Phlox subulata×stolonifera ‘PPPHL0617’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots during summer: Approximately 5 days at    temperatures between 17° C. and 29° C.-   Time to initiate roots during winter: Approximately 6 days at    temperatures between 17° C. and 21° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: 33 to 35 days.-   Root description: Fine, fibrous, moderately dense rooting habit.

PLANT

-   Pot size of plant described: 25 cm diameter basket.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 25 Weeks.-   Growth habit: Mounding, spreading.-   Pot size of plant described: 25 cm diameter basket.-   Height:    -   -   To top of flowers.—Approximately 17 cm.        -   To top of foliage plane.—Approximately 15 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 43 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Branching characteristics: Very well branched.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 12 cm.-   Quantity of primary lateral branches: More than 50 per plant.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Round.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143A.        -   Texture.—Densely pubescent. Hairs minute, less than 0.1 cm.        -   Strength.—Flexible, moderately strong.-   Internode length: Average between 0.75 cm to 2.0 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 12 per branch.        -   Average length.—Approximately 2.8 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Blunt.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Pubescent.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Pubescent.        -   Aspect.—Somewhat recurved.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 143A. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 137A towards apex, base flushed            Green 143A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side:            Indistinguishable from foliage coloration. Venation color            under side: Indistinguishable from foliage coloration.        -   Petiole.—Sessile, petiole not present.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring through Summer.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Clustered cymes of    salverform flowers. 2 to 3 cymes, of 3 to 5 flowers.-   Rate of flower opening: 3 to 5 days from bud to fully opened flower.-   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 7 to 10 days.-   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: Approximately 60 to 80.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Depth.—Approximately 6 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 8 cm.-   Individual cyme:    -   -   Depth.—Approximately 4 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 4 cm.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindric.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue N89B.-   Flower size:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 cm.        -   Flower tube length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at basal end.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—Approximately 1.9 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Length from throat.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Quantity.—5.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Apex.—Bi-lobed, or multi-lobed, blunt lobes.        -   Margin.—Entire.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89C.            Lower surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89D.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Violet 83C, dots at            throat attachment near Violet-Blue 93A. Flush at base near            Violet-Blue 91D. Lower surface: Near RHS Violet 83D. Flower            throat (inside): Near RHS Violet-Blue 91C. Flower throat,            visible rim: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91D. Flower tube            (outside): Near RHS Violet 83D.        -   Fading.—Petals fading to: Near RHS Violet-Blue 93A.-   Calyx/sepals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—30% fused together, linear shape.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Fused.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137A near apex, base            near 143C. Lower Surface: Near RHS Green 137A near apex,            base near 143C.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 2 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Orientation.—Approximately 75° angle from stem, undulating.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Orientation.—Approximately 45° angle from peduncle,            undulating.-   Fragrance: Musty.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—Fused to petals, unfused portion 0.1 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—0.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Color.—Near RHS Violet-Blue 91D.        -   Pollen.—Color: Near Yellow 13A. Quantity: Moderate.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—0.5 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 0.4 cm. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91D.        -   Stigma.—Shape: forked. Color: Near RHS Yellow 4B. Ovary            Color: Near RHS Green 143C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to powdery mildew has been    observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to least −1° C. without damage.    Upper temperature tolerance to at least 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named‘PPPHL0617’ as herein illustrated and described.